Wisconsin Bat Program

Conservation Biologist, Heather M. Kaarakka, works for the Bureau of Endangered Resources with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. Heather is currently involved with the Wisconsin Bat Program.

The Bureau is hoping to locate any information on new bat roost locations and is asking Citizen Monitors to keep an eye out for any signs of bat roosts. According the Heather, "bats love water and are often found roosting along lake and river shorelines."

Check out the poster below and contact the Wisconsin Bat Program if you have any helpful information.

"The Wisconsin Bat Program monitors and manages bat populations in the state.
Much of the data the program collects comes from citizen-scientists,
and the program relies heavily on grants and funding support from Wisconsin citizens."

Build a bat house

Many people do not want bats roosting in their homes, but often still
want bats around. A good way to encourage bats to remain in the area
is by building a bat house. Encouraging bats to take up habitation on
your property can help reduce forest and garden as well as human-disease
carrying pest populations. Bats have voracious appetites, and a single
bat
can eat thousands of insects every night.

Plan and assembly directions

(Access PDF document below.)

This bat box house plan has been successful in attracting nursery colonies
of little brown and big brown bats. Since bat roosting requirements
are strict, adherence to the construction details is important.